Maine Healthy Beaches Program
The Maine Healthy Beaches (MHB) Program is a statewide effort to monitor water quality and protect public health on Maine’s coastal beaches. Funded by a $255,000 grant from US EPA, the MHB Program is a unique partnership involving municipalities, state parks, the University of Maine Cooperative Extension/Sea Grant, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, state and federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, and citizen volunteers. Beaches are monitored using quality assured methods and the monitoring effort established through this program helps ensure Maine's coastal beaches are safe and healthy places to recreate.
MET member Keri Lindberg is the statewide coordinator, providing oversight in development and implementation of the program. In 2009, 26 towns and state parks are participating in this voluntary program with 60 beach management areas routinely monitored Memorial through Labor Day. The MHB Program has developed field, database and laboratory protocols to ensure the quality of the data collected. Routine monitoring data is used to notify the public of water quality conditions and to identify potential pollution problems. Sanitary surveys and special studies are implemented in coastal watersheds for beaches with chronic bacteria issues.
Maine Healthy Beaches: Status & Trends 2005-2010
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About University of Maine Cooperative Extension
UMaine Extension is part of the nationwide Cooperative Extension System, which works through the land-grant universities in each U.S. state. In addition to our state offices in Orono, we have a network of county-based offices staffed by experts who provide practical, locally based solutions for farmers, small business owners, kids, parents, consumers, and others. We receive support through USDA, the University of Maine, and Maine county governments.
